"It is shocking and disappointing that the Hampton Roads community, which perhaps has more to gain from clean waterways than any part of Virginia, would consider legal action that would delay the long-overdue restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

"To obstruct or further delay restoration of the Bay is to obstruct and delay the cleanup of local Hampton Roads rivers, creeks, and coves, the waterways that are the very lifeblood of the local Hampton Roads economy and provide the basis for our vital tourism, recreation, and seafood industries.

"CBF strongly urges the Planning District Commission to reject a legal challenge to the Bay cleanup and encourages our local communities to work together to find practical solutions to the challenges before us. This is not a Bay problem; this is our problem. We understand the fiscal challenges faced by Hampton Roads and cities around the nation. Litigation, however, will only delay, not eliminate, the cost to restore clean water and will in fact pass on higher, long-term costs to future taxpayers and future generations."

NOTE: The Planning District Commission has called a special meeting for March 31, 2011 to further discuss concerns about the TMDL and possible "legal options." If you live in the Hampton Roads area and have not yet contacted your local commission representative, please take action today and urge him or her to support full implementation of Virginia's cleanup plan. Also, if you can, please plan to attend the March 31 meeting to show your support for cleaning up the Bay and Virginia's waterways.